12 individuals in Thane face charges for electricity theft amounting to Rs 12 lakh

Police in Maharashtra's Thane district have filed charges against 12 individuals for allegedly pilfering power worth over Rs 12 lakh. The authorities uncovered this illegal activity following inspections conducted by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) in the Kongaon area of Bhiwandi.

On Saturday, MSEDCL officials discovered that numerous consumers had tampered with power supply lines. It was found that several individuals had bypassed their electricity meters, illegally drawing power directly from the main wires attached to electric poles, according to an official from the Shanti Nagar police station.

The estimated value of the stolen electricity amounts to Rs 12.21 lakh, with the alleged theft occurring over a two-year period from October 2022 to December 2024. This revelation has prompted the registration of a case under the Electricity Act against the 12 accused parties.

Despite the serious nature of the charges, no arrests have been made yet. "The investigation is still ongoing," said a police official. "We are diligently verifying the extent of each individual's involvement as detailed in the complaint."

The incident underscores ongoing efforts by MSEDCL and local law enforcement to curb power theft, a pervasive issue that impacts revenue and service delivery. As investigative work continues, authorities assure that all resources are being deployed to ascertain the full scope of the network involved in this illegal activity.